Why does UK gov have to be told not to sell private details that have been submitted to them BY LAW?

GS..

Why does UK gov have to be told not to sell private details that have been submitted to them BY LAW?

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

You don't have to tell them, then of course you cannot vote. Simple.

Don't forget your tin hat and the faction that big nasty Bill is going to drug you up with the 6G radar, frying your knackers as well. Also, if you pop out tonight at 8 pm, hold your passport in the air as your temperature is taken!

Or do as others do, just tick the cox, be happy with the fact I have a credit card, and identity fraud checks carried out and I can vote idiots out of office as well!

Manxman_in_exile

But they don't need your express permission to sell that information.

Simples.

George_Michael

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth said:

Or do as others do, just tick the cox, 

I ain't ticking your cox.

Manxman_in_exile

Maybe that's why so many people's details appear on the open register?

GS..

Surprised at your complacency. Maybe the gov should share your credit card details on national TV in exchange for your vote. But as a matter of fact you can opt out of having your personal details being sold, but, like you, most people don't realise and assume:
A it's the cost of having a vote
B don't realise their personal details are being sold and published on the www at all

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth said:

You don't have to tell them, then of course you cannot vote. Simple.

!

GS..

Not sure what point your making. Do you think it's ok for Gov to sell your personal details for publishing in the www?

Manxman_in_exile said:

Maybe that's why so many people's details appear on the open register?

JReacher1

It’s relatively harmless information. I wouldn’t worry too much about it and if you’re not on the open register it can make life a bit harder as companies can’t validate who you are when you’re buying things. 

SnowTiger

GS.. said:

Why does UK gov have to be told not to sell private details that have been submitted to them BY LAW?

https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/electoral-register/: 

Prior to November 2001 the register could be sold to anyone prepared to pay a fee. A ruling by the High Court changed the law governing the use of personal information on the electoral register. The court confirmed that it was unlawful to sell copies of the electoral register to private businesses without giving people a choice not to have their information used in this way.

Why sell a copy of the register?  Presumably to maximise income.

The register isn't a secret document.  Anyone can view a copy of the full version:

View the electoral register

Contact:

• your local Electoral Registration Office if you live in England, Scotland or Wales
• the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland (EONI) if you live in Northern Ireland

They will tell you where you can view the current electoral register (it’s often available in libraries). The register will list everyone who’s registered to vote in the local area.

IvanOpinion

GS.. said:

Why does UK gov have to be told not to sell private details that have been submitted to them BY LAW?

I am not sure what your point is?  All the information is already in the public domain.  Is it any different to the phone book that used to be delivered to everybody's house - again you could 'opt out' by going ex-directory.  Do you maybe have a concern that the postman might get to know your address because someone has printed it on an envelope?

A bit of perspective and reality needs injected here.

Manxman_in_exile

GS.. said:

Not sure what point your making. Do you think it's ok for Gov to sell your personal details for publishing in the www?

Manxman_in_exile said:

Maybe that's why so many people's details appear on the open register?

But that's not the question you asked, is it?  You asked why you have to opt out of being on the open register, not whether being on the open register was a good idea or not.

(Plus you may have missed that I was making a joke in poor taste about George ticking Blackbeard's "cox".  Do try to keep up with everyone else...)

GS.. said:

Surprised at your complacency. Maybe the gov should share your credit card details on national TV in exchange for your vote. But as a matter of fact you can opt out of having your personal details being sold, but, like you, most people don't realise and assume:
A it's the cost of having a vote
B don't realise their personal details are being sold and published on the www at all

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth said:

You don't have to tell them, then of course you cannot vote. Simple.

!

I'm pretty sure Blackbeard does realise, why do you infer he doesn't?  Is it something you've only just discovered?

From what I read about what people post about themselves on social media (and I don't use Facecarp or Tw@tter) most people won't be bothered at all about their electoral roll details being sold to the highest - or even lowest - bidder